On the agenda: Groton approved_minutes_2026-08-31_id-17483.pdf — Flock Safety (Sep 24)

SELECT BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026
APPROVED
Select Board Members Present: Becky Pine, Vice Chair; Nick Degaitas Jr., Clerk; John Reilly; Matt Pisani;
Select Board Members Absent: Peter Cunningham, Chair;
Finance Committee Members Present: Bud Robertson, Finance Committee Chair; Gary Green; Scott
Whitefield; Nancy Muller; David Manugian;
Finance Committee Members Absent: Kristina Legyel; Jamie McDonald;
Also Present: Mark Haddad, Town Manager; Kara Cruikshank, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager;
Patricia DuFresne, Assistant Director of Finance/Town Accountant; Deputy Police Chief Rachael Mead;
Takashi Tada, Town Planner/ Land Use Director; Shawn Campbell; Groton Country Club General Manager;
Andres Correa, Energy Manager; Charlotte Weigel, Sustainability Commission; Tammi Mickel, Principal
Assessor; Katie Kazanjian, Treasurer/Tax Collector; Mark Presti and Mary Jennings of the Park
Commission; Megan Buczynski, Activitas Consultant; Russ Harris; Jennifer Moore; Leslie Row; Sam
Palmer and John Bellessa.
Vice Chair Pine called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and reviewed the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Haddad made an announcement regarding the Town's use of Flock Safety. He informed the Board and
the community that they are aware of the Town’s use of Flock Safety and the automated license plate
reader cameras utilized by the Groton Police Department. After several weeks of reviewing the cameras
and discussing their use with Chief Luth and Deputy Chief Mead, they decided to terminate the contract
with Flock Safety, effective immediately. The Town Manager and Police Chief issued a Press Release
earlier today, and Mr. Haddad read a statement into the record concerning this decision. (Please see the
Press Release included with these minutes.)
Ms. Pine reminded everyone that the Massachusetts State Primary is on Tuesday, September 1st, and
urged residents to vote.
Mr. Haddad announced an Employee Appreciation Cookout, weather permitting, hosted by the Town
Manager’s Office, Human Resources, and Information Technology Departments, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00
p.m. on Thursday, September 3rd, at Town Hall.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - Zoom
None
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
1. Update from Deputy Chief Mead on the Police Camera Working Group.
Deputy Police Chief Mead provided an update on the Police Camera Working Group, which met on
August 18th to establish its mission statement. The group's goal is to make informed
recommendations, address community concerns, and support technology decisions that enhance
public safety and accountability in the Groton Police Department.
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A Public Forum is scheduled for Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 p.m. at the Groton Center.
While Deputy Mead was disappointed that the contract was canceled, she was relieved and felt it
would allow for more thorough discussions about camera technology. Ms. Pine thanked Deputy
Mead and Mr. Haddad for their efforts in finding the best solution for the Town, and Deputy Mead
noted that the Flock cameras were placed in response to traffic complaints. (The Report from the
Working Group is attached to these minutes)
2. Regional Energy Manager- First Year Update.
Andres Correa, the Energy Manager, and Charlotte Weigel, the Chair of Sustainability, attended the
meeting to provide a summary of Mr. Correa’s work over the past year as the Municipal Energy
Manager (MEM) for the towns of Groton, Harvard, Ayer, and Shirley. The presentation reviewed
various projects and outlined the total Green Communities Grant funding awarded to each
community, totaling $734,851. Mr. Correa discussed challenges he encountered and lessons he
learned this year as MEM. He explained that the Town of Groton's next steps include completing the
municipal decarbonization roadmap and continuing to submit Green Community reporting in
January 2027. He also outlined the upcoming Green Community grant application projects for the
Spring of 2027.
Mr. Correa asked the Select Board to help publicize the MEM work, encourage ongoing
collaboration with the Groton Dunstable Regional School District (GDRSD), and address any
potential bottlenecks. He also asked the Board to advise on making the case for funding beyond the
Grant, which would end mid-2028. Mr. Haddad explained that during the meeting with the Managers
discussing Mr. Correa's work, they believed the position was valuable and would like to see it
continue. They are willing to keep the position funded and enter into an Inter-Municipal Agreement
(IMA) with the other towns after 2028. Mr. Haddad and the Board emphasized that Mr. Correa has
done a great job in his first year and thanked him for his efforts.
3. Presentation from the Town Manager on Creating a Regional Veterans’ Service Officer with
Pepperell and Littleton.
Mr. Haddad provided a recommendation that the Town regionalize the Veterans Services Officer
(VSO) position with the Towns of Littleton and Pepperell. He explained that this proposed regional
model aims to provide Groton’s veterans with a higher, more consistent level of service while
addressing the Town’s long-term staffing commitments in a fiscally responsible manner. Mr.
Haddad noted that he had previously suggested increasing the hours for the Town's VSO position,
acknowledging the workload and level of service required. He then explained that the Select Board
did not support that request. As a result, Mr. Haddad explored other approaches to improve
veterans’ services without placing the financial burden of a full-time position on Groton alone.
Regionalization provided such an opportunity.
Mr. Haddad explained that under Massachusetts law, if a community has a population greater than
12,000 and appoints a new Veterans Services Officer (VSO), the position must be full-time unless
veteran services are provided through an approved regional agreement. With Groton's population
nearing 12,000, he emphasized presenting this proposal now rather than waiting for a future
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vacancy or for the population to exceed the threshold, which would require the town to hire a fulltime VSO. The proposed regional agreement with Pepperell and Littleton would establish full-time
regional VSO operations with the necessary administrative support and allow the participating
communities to share the costs. Mr. Haddad provided a chart showing the anticipated FY 2027
cost of $33,571.25 for the Town of Groton. He believes this makes good fiscal and operational
sense, and Meg Murphy, Groton’s interim VSO, is off to a great start. Ms. Murphy also serves as the
VSO for the towns of Pepperell and Littleton, positioning her to become the permanent VSO for the
Town of Groton. The Board discussed the proposal, and Mr. Haddad explained that it would be
discussed further with the Finance Committee during the public hearing on the warrant.
4. Fiscal Year 2028 Budget Update.
The Town Manager/Town Administrator Working Group meeting was productive. Mr. Haddad said
the Group shared experiences from successful override campaigns in Grafton, Melrose, and
Marblehead and took a closer look at long-term financial projections. He explained that current
projections indicate an override will likely be necessary for FY 2028, but he still believes it is too
early to discuss a definitive number. He said the Group aims to bring forward a more concrete
proposal later this fall. Mr. Haddad and Dunstable Town Administrator Jason Silva prepared a
three-year projection based on school impacts and projected town costs. Mr. Degaitas added that
the Group is collaborating well. Mr. Robertson added that FY 2028 will be challenging.
5. Update on Select Board Schedule through Labor Day.
Monday, September 7, 2026No Meeting (Labor Day)
Monday, September 14, 2026Issue the Warrant for the Fall Town Meeting
Monday, September 21, 2026No Meeting
Monday, September 28, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Saturday, October 3, 20262026 Fall Town Meeting
Monday, October 5, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, October 12, 2026No Meeting (Indigenous Peoples’ Day Holiday)
Monday, October 19, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, October 26, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, November 2, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, November 9, 2026No Meeting
Monday, November 16, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, November 23, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, November 30, 2026No Meeting
Monday, December 7, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, December 14, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, December 21, 2026Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Monday, December 28, 2026No Meeting (Christmas Holiday)
Monday, January 4, 2027No Meeting (New Year’s Holiday)
Monday, January 22, 2027Regularly Scheduled Meeting

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ITEMS FOR SELECT BOARD CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL
Jennifer Moore, representing the Groton Business Association, attended the meeting to review plans
for the Annual GrotonFest Fall festival and to discuss two special one-day licenses for wine and malt
beverages. Ms. Moore provided the Board with a map showing vendor setup locations and the
designated beer garden area. She explained that all beer and wine will be restricted to a specific area
and that the Police Department has approved the locations where alcohol will be served. The Board
was satisfied with Ms. Moore's explanation and plans, found her input very helpful, and thanked her for
her efforts.
1. Consider Approving a One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for Broken Creek Vineyard at
Legion Common for GrotonFest on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Consider Approving a One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for Mass Brewing LLC d/b/a
Sterling Street Brewery at Legion Common for GrotonFest on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Mr. Pisani moved to approve a One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for both Broken Creek
Vineyard and Mass Brewing LLC, d/b/a Sterling Street Brewery, for GrotonFest at Legion Common
on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mr. Degaitas seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.
3. Consider Approving a One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for the Friends of Prescott
for Open Mic Night on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Mr. Reilly moved to approve a One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for the Friends of
Prescott for Open Mic Night on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mr.
Degaitas seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
On-Going Issues
A.
PFAS Issue – A kickoff meeting was held with the contractor, DeFelice, to initiate the next
phase of the PFAS waterline project, now underway. The team is working on Reedy Meadow
Road, and individual connections to the homes will begin soon. During the kickoff meeting,
the team discussed a process in which the contractor, the engineer, and the water
superintendent will meet with each homeowner before making the connections. This
meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the connections, and homeowners will sign
off on the process. A total of 78 individual connections are planned. A formal proposal to
address properties that test higher than 4 parts per trillion after the project is closed will be
presented at the September 14th Select Board meeting.
B.
UMass Satellite Emergency Facility – None.
C.
Fire Department Staffing – None.
D.
West Groton Dam Removal- None.
E.
Main Street Study – Mr. Haddad apologized to the Board for the release of the Main Street
Study Report before the Select Board had the opportunity to review it. The Working Group
met to review the report, and the Complete Streets Committee met the following day.
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F.

Unfortunately, the report was made public, and an article appeared in the Groton Herald
about it before the Select Board could review it. The Working Group has reviewed the plans,
and Mr. Haddad is currently waiting to receive the final designs from MDM Transportation
Consultants. MDM has completed its preliminary designs for improvements to the Main
Street Corridor. Mr. Haddad explained that they are focusing on the four major
intersections along Route 119. One proposal includes installing a traffic light at
Broadmeadow and Lowell Road. The Complete Streets Committee will hold a public
hearing and lead the public engagement for the community.
Flock Cameras- None.

SELECT BOARD LIAISON REPORTS
None
Approval of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of August 17, 2027.
Mr. Pisani made a motion to approve the minutes from the regularly scheduled meeting on August 17,
2026. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
7:00 P.M. In Joint Session with the Finance Committee- Public Hearing on the Various Warrant
Articles Contained in the Warrant for the 2026 Fall Town Meeting.
Mr. Haddad read the public hearing notice into the record and asked the Board to open the public hearing.
Mr. Reilly made a motion to open the public hearing for the October 3, 2026, Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
Mr. Degaitas seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Robertson called the Finance Committee to order.
Mr. Haddad explained that the warrant includes nineteen (19) articles and wanted to review them. He
began by reviewing a summary of the proposed Fall Town Meeting expenditures based on the Warrant
Articles, along with a summary of available funds:
FY 2027 Levy Capacity:
Anticipated Free Cash:
Stabilization Fund:
Capital Stabilization Fund:
GDRSD Capital Stabilization Fund:
Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) Funds:

$37,714
$2,000,000
$2,873,587
$144,028
$26,593
$275,893

The Town of Groton received $275,893 from the Commonwealth through the Winter Recovery Assistance
Program (WRAP) to help cover extraordinary snow and ice costs incurred during Fiscal Year 2026. Mr.
Haddad explained that the Town’s FY 2026 Snow and Ice Deficit was funded by $180,000 from the Capital
Stabilization Fund and $165,000 in free Cash. With guidance from the Massachusetts Department of
Revenue’s Division of Local Services, the Town will use $180,000 of the WRAP reimbursement to restore
the amount previously withdrawn from the Capital Stabilization Fund.

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Article 1: Prior Year Bills- Service Tire Truck Centers- Requested Amount: $430
Article 2: Amend the Fiscal Year 2027 Town Operating Budget.
Mr. Haddad reviewed the proposed amendments to the Operating Budget with the Board (see the
attached memorandum).
He then explained the total amounts requested by category:
Free Cash:
Tax Levy:

$100,500
$ 33,571

Total:

$ 134,071

Article 3: Transfer Money into Capital Stabilization Fund- Requested Amount- $691,000
The current balance is $144,028. The town's financial policies require maintaining a fund balance
equal to 1.5% of the total Operating Budget. If Article 2 passes as presented, the total Fiscal Year
2027 Operating Budget will be $55,994,017, resulting in a target Capital Stabilization Fund balance
of $839,910. This would require an appropriation of $695,882. Mr. Haddad explained that funding
the anticipated FY 2028 Capital Budget would require an additional $175,118, bringing the total
recommended appropriation to $871,000. As previously explained, $180,000 of this appropriation
would be funded from the town’s WRAP proceeds, restoring the amount previously withdrawn from
the Capital Stabilization Fund to address the FY 2026 snow and ice deficit. The remaining $691,000
would come from Free Cash.
Article 4: Transfer Money into the Stabilization Fund— Requested Amount- $0
With a current balance of $2,873,587, we do not need to add money to the Stabilization Fund at
this time.
Article 5: Transfer Money into the GDRSD Capital Stabilization Fund- Requested Amount:
$377,514
The anticipated capital budget for the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District in Fiscal Year
2028 is $500,000. The current balance is $26,593, leaving a funding requirement of $473,407. To
address this need, Mr. Haddad recommends allocating $95,893 from the Town’s FY 2027 WRAP
funds, as previously explained, and funding the remaining $377,514 from Free Cash.
Article 6: Transfer Within the Water Enterprise Fund- This is a placeholder.
Article 7: Transfer Within the Four Center Sewer Enterprise Fund- This is a placeholder.
Article 8: Transfer Within the Stormwater Enterprise Fund- This is a placeholder.

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Article 9: Appropriations to Fund Town Forest Expenses- Requested Amount- $30,000.
Leslie Row from the Town Forest Committee attended the meeting to discuss funding for the
removal of a dead stand of Red Pines that poses a safety hazard in the Forest. The total cost of the
removal is $30,000, of which $12,238 will be covered by a reimbursement from the Division of
Conservation and Recreation.
Articles 1 through 9 will be part of a consent agenda.
Article 10: Cow Pond Brook Fields Improvements- Requested Amount-$4,200,000
Consultant Megan Buczynski, along with Park Commissioners Mark Presti and Mary Jennings,
attended the meeting. Ms. Buczynski outlined the objective of using the $1 million grant. She
discussed modifications to reduce the project's overall cost, which she will present at the Spring
Town Meeting. The focus was on materials, utilities, and stormwater management. Mr. Haddad
emphasized that these changes will keep the project eligible for the grant and ensure funding is
accessible. The revised proposal reduces the overall project cost by an estimated $600,000 to
$800,000 from the original estimated budget of approximately $4.8 million while retaining the
project's primary objectives. Mr. Haddad clarified that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
currently holds the grant funds and that the federal government cannot reclaim them. If Town
Meeting approves this article, the project will remain eligible for the grant.
Article 11: Citizens’ Petition- Termination of Automated License Plate Reader Camera
Program- Proponent John Bellessa was in attendance.
Mr. Haddad explained that the Flock Contract was canceled and that, moving forward, any new
camera will need to be appropriated at a future Town Meeting. He stated that all requests outlined
in the Citizens Petition have been addressed. Mr. Bellessa thanked Mr. Haddad and Chief Luth for
canceling the contract and said they look forward to the Working Group's findings. Mr. Haddad
noted that if 10 of the 25 individuals who signed the original petition wish to withdraw it before the
warrant is posted, they should submit a letter with the necessary signatures requesting removal of
the article. He also assured Mr. Bellessa that no future action could take place without returning to
a Town Meeting.
Article 12: Install Irrigation System/Course Improvements- Groton Country Club-Requested
Amount- $1,700,000.
Groton Country Club General Manager Shawn Campbell attended to review the article. The article
requests funding to construct a new irrigation system and complete targeted course
improvements at the Groton Country Club. Mr. Campbell explained that the preliminary planning
estimate for the project is approximately $1.7 million. He noted that the current irrigation system is
entirely manual and that the new equipment would improve the greens. He also explained that the
current irrigation water comes from the pond, as there is no well. Mr. Haddad explained that the
funding does not impact the operating budget because funding for the debt service would come
from the Capital Budget. In addition, he noted that the country club generated over $1 million in
revenue this past year. He stated that it is treated as an enterprise fund; however, he clarified that
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it is not actually considered one. Mr. Campbell's capital budget is based on income from
expenses, and he incorporated this into this year's budget. The capital budget is funded through
free cash, which he has contributed to since the country club returns money each year. This
project will be funded by a BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) with a mandatory principal paydown after
year two. If the capital budget has extra funds each year, additional payments toward debt service
will be made to pay it off more quickly. Mr. Haddad believes this will be a good thing for the Country
Club. Mr. Reilly stated that the Country Club attracts the entire town, emphasizing that it is not just
about the golf course: it's about the pool, camps, and the pickleball court, too.
Article 13: Transfer of Land from the DPW to the Electric Light Department - This article
authorizes the transfer of a portion of the DPW property at 600 Cow Pond Brook Road to the Groton
Electric Light Department for the construction, installation, and use of a battery energy storage
system. A meeting will be held with Town Counsel and the Attorney for Groton Electric Light
Department on September 1st to discuss whether there is a benefit to the DPW Building located at
600 Cow Pond Brook Road. This is a placeholder that Town Counsel requested be included on the
Warrant.
Article 14: Establish Means-Tested Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption.
Mr. Degaitas introduced this article and explained that it proposes an income-based exemption for
seniors who have claimed the Massachusetts tax circuit breaker credit, which can be up to $2,800.
Approximately fifty seniors in Groton meet this requirement. To qualify, they must also have filed
their state income taxes. This exemption would provide additional relief from the Board of
Assessors if seniors apply annually and meet the other necessary requirements. The town could
match up to 200% of the circuit breaker credit. Funding for this initiative would come from the
overlay. Mr. Degaitas also clarified that this program is not solely based on income. This language
has already passed the legislature and been adopted in the towns of Marblehead and Grafton. Mr.
Whitefield asked whether the program could be adjusted annually, and Principal Assessor Tammi
Mickel confirmed that it could.
Takashi Tada, Town Planner/Lans Use Director, was in attendance for the discussion of Articles 15
through 17, submitted by the Planning Board.
Article 15: Small Scale Clean Energy Infrastructure Facility Siting and PermittingThis article proposes a new general bylaw to adopt state-mandated requirements, which will take
effect statewide on October 1, 2026. Mr. Tada further explained that all towns will be required to
implement small-scale clean energy infrastructure facilities.
Article 16: Small Clean Energy Facilities Consolidating PermittingMr. Tada explained that this article amends the current zoning bylaw to clarify the definition of a
small clean energy infrastructure facility. He provided examples such as a solar panel array or a
battery energy storage system.
Article 17: Scale Ground Mounting Solar Photovoltaic FacilitiesMr. Tada explained that this article would introduce a new category to the town's zoning
regulations, which does not currently exist: battery energy storage systems.
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Article 18: Citizens Petition-Senior Property Tax Freeze Program- Proponent Sam Palmer
submitted a citizens' petition stating that if you are 70 years old or older and have owned and
occupied the property as your principal residence for 35 years or longer, your taxes would be
frozen at that amount permanently after you apply. Tammi Mickel, the Principal Assessor,
conducted a study based on the current census and indicated that approximately 433 residents
could potentially qualify for this program if it is approved. If this article passes, the Select Board
would need to establish specific criteria. Mr. Haddad explained that the Legislature has not
considered this proposal in any town. Ms. Pine expressed uncertainty about whether the two
proposed articles regarding Senior Citizen taxes should be presented together, as it could backfire.
Article 19: Citizens Petition- Study Housing Opportunities and Municipal FinanceProponent Russ Harris was in attendance to discuss this article. The article examines potential
ways to adopt different zoning regulations and reviews the budget. Mr. Harris believes property tax
is the primary source of revenue in Groton. One way to improve it is to increase the number of
taxpayers and add more housing in Groton to help improve the budget situation.
Mr. Pisani made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously.

The Select Board adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Kara Cruikshank, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager.

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